Rahul Dholakia Questions National Film Awards Shift to Gujarat

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026, instead of its traditional location in New Delhi. This decision has been met with criticism from filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, who questioned the shift to Gujarat.

Dholakia took to social media to express his concerns, stating that he has no particular preference for Delhi as the host city, but he wonders why the ceremony is being moved to Gujarat. He suggested that states like Maharashtra, Kerala, or Tamil Nadu, which have contributed significantly to the film industry, would be more suitable hosts.

The filmmaker's tweet sparked a mixed reaction from netizens, with some defending the decision to hold the ceremony in Gujarat, citing the beauty of the location, while others agreed with Dholakia's concerns, pointing out that states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have made greater contributions to the film industry.

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be attended by winners such as Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, and Aditya Dhar, among others. The decision to move the ceremony to Gujarat has raised questions about the tradition of hosting the event in New Delhi and the criteria for selecting a new location.

The National Film Awards have been held in New Delhi for many years, and the shift to Gujarat is seen as a departure from tradition. While some have welcomed the change, others have expressed concerns about the impact on the film industry and the potential politicization of the event.

The ceremony's move to Gujarat has also sparked a debate about the contributions of different states to the film industry. States like Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have a long history of producing films and have made significant contributions to the industry.

In contrast, Gujarat's contribution to the film industry is relatively limited, which has led some to question why the ceremony is being held there. The decision to move the ceremony to Gujarat has been seen as a surprise by many in the film industry, and it remains to be seen how the event will be received.

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be a significant event, with many prominent figures from the film industry in attendance. However, the controversy surrounding the decision to move the ceremony to Gujarat has overshadowed the event, with many questioning the rationale behind the decision.

As the film industry prepares for the ceremony, the debate about the location and the tradition of the National Film Awards continues. While some have defended the decision to hold the ceremony in Gujarat, others have expressed concerns about the impact on the industry and the potential politicization of the event.

In conclusion, the decision to move the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony to Gujarat has sparked a debate about the tradition of the event and the contributions of different states to the film industry. While the ceremony will be a significant event, the controversy surrounding the decision to move it to Gujarat has raised questions about the rationale behind the decision and the potential impact on the film industry.